Okuma Solterra SLX 20 II 2 speed, binding

[Gobi King]

I just received my SLX-20II drop shipped from Okuma.

In the higher gear, I feel the handle is binding when I turn it even in free spool with the drag lever turn all the way down,

I compared it to the Makaira 30 in the pic and Makaira does not bind and very easy to turn, while the solterra

Is there something I did not set right? Sorry my experience with 2 speed reels is quite lacking.

[alantani]

bad bearings.  i went through about 30 of the smaller models.   

[Gobi King]

Alan,
Here is the pic for what is worth,



wow, bad batch of bearings?
Thanks, I will give Okuma a quick call.

[alantani]

it's not because the bearings are cheap or inferior, it's just that they corrode with water intrusion.  it happens with lots of reels. 

[Gobi King]

Gotcha, I will keep a few spare bearings handy,

My Solterra SLX is brand spanking new, makes one wonder how QC missed the bad bearing during assembly.

Anyway, I will call give Okuma a call tomorrow when I back home.

[MexicanGulf]

bad bearings.  i went through about 30 of the smaller models.   

hi Alan, do you have a review for the new okuma solterra slx B 2 speed released in 2023?

[boon]

I can't see anything other than the color that seems to have meaningfully changed with the SLX B from the original SLX.

My write-up of the SLX 50 II is here:
https://alantani.com/index.php/topic,18535.15.html

Sadly the pictures are probably lost to the sands of time.

[MexicanGulf]

the new model appears to have been improved mechanically.

[boon]

Do you have a schematic or anything else to compare? Or any specifics about what these improvements are?
I can't find any information online about what might have changed. From the outside the reels look identical, other than the color obviously.